Saturday, August 11, 2007

DIVERSITY JOB FAIR BRINGS BUSINESS TO THE PEOPLE

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Inland Empire Diversity Career and Job Fair gets underway Sept. 5 in San Bernardino, bringing together more than a dozen major area businesses that want to meet minorities, looking for the best Inland Empire employees.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the San Bernardino Boys & Girls Club, 1180 West 9th St., company representatives will be at tables, waiting to meet serious potential workers looking for local openings instead of having to dread that miserable daily commute to Los Angeles or Orange County.

Companies such as Lowe’s, The University of Phoenix and Patton State Hospital will be on hand to meet and greet hundreds of potential employees. They’ll personally discuss their firms’ needs, what they look for in staff members and review attendees’ backgrounds and resumes.

The Inland Empire Diversity Career and Job Fair is the perfect place for those needing jobs to let companies know why they’d fit in and how they could contribute their skills and experience.

Attendees are urged to dress the part and bring detailed, updated resumes to hand out to those firms that interest them.

Job Fair sponsors supporting the effort include the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce, KOLA radio 99.9, The NAUA, 909models.com, Hispanic Connect, The Black Voice News, The Precinct Reporter, El Chicano and Dameron Communications.

Friday, August 10, 2007

BIOS

Carl Dameron
Agency Principal

• Carl is the founder and owner of Dameron Communications a full service advertising and public relations agency. The company’s former and current clients include: Argosy University/ Inland Empire, Argosy University/Orange County, Education Management Corporation, California Portland Cement Company, LaSalle Medical Associates, The African American Health Initiative, The Inland Empire Diversity Career & Job Fair, Jose Gonzales for Supervisor, Bill Beatty for Moreno Valley City Councilman, the County of San Bernardino, the County of Riverside, the City of Colton, the City of San Bernardino, the State of California, The Salvation Army, 909Models.com, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and Tri-County South Tobacco Free Coalition.

• Carl’s experience include: editor of a weekly newspaper the Black Voice News, marketing director for KFRG/KOOJ radio, vice president of Communications for Dukes-Dukes & Associates, a real estate developer, marketing director for AutoSound an electronics retailer and as a media relations executive for the nations leading financial relations firm, the Financial Relations Board.

• Carl is a resident of San Bernardino and is active in several local community organizations such as Miracles in Recovery, an organization that helps pregnant women with substance abuse problem, get their lives back together and give birth to healthy babies, The Salvation Army, the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce and the Victor Valley African America Chamber of Commerce.

• Carl graduated from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona in 1985. He studied electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, psychology, computer science, economics, oceanography, public relations, radio, journalism, television and print production graduating with a bachelor of science degree in Communications.


Jim Crockett
Senior Writer

• Jim has worked in advertising, public relations and journalism since 1958. He has written thousands of articles, five books and is currently working on a screenplay about the first female jazz band.
• Jim has written for The Livermore Independent, The Caymainan Compass Daily and The Antelope Valley Press Daily. He was also CEO of GPI publications for 19 years where he oversaw Guitar Player magazine.
• Jim has taught broadcasting and public speaking at the University of Idaho and International College of The Cayman Islands.
• An accomplished auto racer and scuba diver, Jim has also appeared on The Today Show, The Merv Griffin Show, Nashville Now, MTV, CBS Tonight and CNN.
• He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from the University of Stockton.


Thomas Salisbury
Art Director
• Thomas has 25 years experience as an art director and artist. Previously, he was the senior art director for Pacific Coast Sportfishing, a national full-color monthly magazine focusing on sport fishing on the West Coast, including Alaska and Mexico.
• He has also worked for The San Bernardino Sun, The Long Beach Press-Telegram and Donrey Outdoor Media of Las Vegas. At The Sun Thomas’ used his creative talents on major accounts including San Manuel Indian Casino in Highland, and the former Harris Department Store.
• Thomas prides himself in providing creative work that emphasizes branding and effectively reaches the client’s customer and encourages them to buy products or services.
• Thomas has a degree in fine art from Saddelback College and also studied art at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and California State University, Long Beach.


Carlos Trujilo
Graphic Artist/Web Programmer
Carlos grew up in Colton and is a graduate Cal State University, San Bernardino. He also has a master’s degree from the University of Redlands. Carlos has more than seven years experience in web development, programming and graphic design. Previously employed by Imageway Digital Media, Carlos lives in San Bernardino.


Ebony Stewart
Executive Assistant
Ebony grew up in Fontana and Alta Loma and is a graduate of Valley View High School in Ontario, Calif. She also attended Chaffey College. She has previously worked in the real estate and mortgage business. Before joining Dameron Communications she worked at United Title Co. in Riverside. She currently resides in San Bernardino.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY HONORS LOCAL ACTIVIST

(San Bernardino, Calif.) Phyllis Clark, founder and director of the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference, has received statewide recognition for her efforts to fight cancer in the Black and Latino community.
Clark will receive the Harold P. Freeman Outreach Award from the American Cancer Society California Division at a luncheon in Oakland, Thursday, June 28. She is one of three people in California who will receive the honor.
The award honors individuals for exemplary achievement in bringing cancer awareness activities to diverse and medically underserved populations.
Clark has been fighting cancer for 20 years since she lost her mother to colon cancer. She has channeled her energy into raising awareness about cancer, and other health issues, in the African American community. Clark is also corporate partners and events manager for the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
“I’m honored and humbled to receive this award because I feel am doing what I was called to do since I lost my mother,” Clark said. “I’m trying to do whatever I can to eliminate cancer. Receiving this award confirms I am doing something right and touching lives.”
Clark is also the founder of the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference, an interactive Afrocentric health fair. Currently in its third year, the next conference is at California Baptist University, located at 8432 Magnolia in Riverside, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, July 28.
Clark said the goal of the conference is to encourage African Americans to lead healthier lifestyles.
“Many of the diseases that African Americans suffer from are lifestyle related,” Clark said. “If we change our behavior, and change the behavior of the next generation, we can prevent many of these life-shortening health problems. The goal of this conference is to provide African Americans with the tools to make better lifestyles choices.”
“Although the information is targeted at the African American community, the conference is open to all nationalities,” Clark said.
For more information about the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference call (951) 565-4431 or e-mail hhwcmovement@yahoo.com.

ART INSTITUTE SCHOLARSHIPS HELP IE STUDENTS FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) It might be the dog days of summer, but it is time for many young people to start thinking about how to pay for college.

Recognizing that many Inland Empire residents are the first in their families to attend college, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire (www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire) has awarded $130,000 in tuition scholarships toward undergraduate degrees. Thirteen area students will receive the awards.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, located in San Bernardino, is a private university which offers degrees in such creative careers as graphic design, interior design, culinary arts, culinary management, interactive media design, media arts & animation and game art & design.

“The Art Institute of Californian – Inland Empire feels that if people have the talent and drive, then paying for their education should not be an obstacle,” says President Byron Chung. “The scholarships will help many Inland Empire students receive an education that can help them pursue careers they love.” Chung says the scholarships range from $5,000 to $15,000.

In Culinary Arts, Lizeth Talavera-Benitez of Phelan received two scholarships, one of $15,000 and another of $3,000 as Best Teen Chef. She says, “These will cover fully half of my tuition for the first year at the university. It meant a lot to me,” she adds, “My parents didn’t have much money to pay for college. I was really excited when I found out I got the scholarship. My parents are very happy, too.”
She says the funding goes a long way toward helping her pursue her dream of owning her own restaurant.

Phillip Bosco, a graduate of Faith Community Christian School in Victorville, said his $10,000 scholarship for first in Media Arts & Animation will be an important aid in paying back student loans. “It really takes a big load off,” he says, adding, “It really takes a big load off. The scholarship works out to be several months, if not a full year, of loan payments.”

He plans to study Media Arts & Animation at the Art Institute. He said his major can open doors to a job as a 3-D forensic artist for crime investigations, a special effects artist or a storyboard artist.

Bosco’s future plan is to work in visual effects in the movie industry, and eventually be directing his own films. “I’ve always had a passion for film and directing,” he says.

Other well-earned scholarships are $15,000 for Logan Feliciano of Pomona, first in Game Art & Design; Jacob Webber of Grand Terrace, $10,000 for second in Game Art & Design; Colton’s John Escobar received a $15,000 funding for placing first in Graphic Design with Matthew Morales of Redlands garnering $10,000 for second.

Victorville’s Amanda Kibler was granted a $15,000 scholarship for first in Interior Design while Allison Williams of Alta Loma received a $10,000 aid for second place; LaTosha Banks of Rialto was awarded a $10,000 scholarship for first in Culinary Arts; Upland’s Ryan Wardlow received a $10,000 honor for first in Game Art & Design while Jonathan Ortiz was presented a $5,000 scholarship for second.

A poster design competition yielded $3,000 in school funds for Daniel Gonzalez of Garden Grove, and a $2,000 award to Moreno Valley’s Therisa Anderson.

For further information about the programs at the Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, call (909) 915-2100 or (800) 353-0812.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire Offers Life Drawing Classes for Public

(SAN BERNADINO, Calif.) Ever wondered what drawing from a live human model is like? The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will show attendees of its new Life Drawing workshop on Saturday, August 8, 2007, from 1 - 5 p.m. The workshop will be open at no charge.

Byron Chung, president of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, says, “We created these classes to give budding young artists the instruction they need to draw better. We are committed to helping artists in the Inland Empire improve their talents.”

The Life Drawing workshops are usually offered on the third Saturday of every month. There are 21 seats available in each class. Students must bring their own pencils and drawing papers. The workshop is open to the public to those 15 years old or above, and the classes are offered at no charge.

“Many people have great creative talents,” Chung says. “The workshop offers people a chance to focus that raw creative talent into directed creativity. Our goal is to help make better artists.”

Santosh Oommen, academic director of animation at the school, says the workshop involves drawing from a live figure and covers topics such as anatomy and gestures. To sign up for the Life Drawing workshop, or for more information, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Art Institute Scholarships Help IE Residents Follow Their Dreams

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) It might be the dog days of summer, but it is time for many young people to start thinking about how to pay for college in the fall.

Recognizing that many Inland Empire residents are the first in their families to go to college, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire (http://www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire) has awarded $130,000 in scholarships for undergraduate degrees. Thirteen area students will receive the awards.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, located in San Bernardino, is a private university, which offers degrees in creative careers such as graphic design, interior design, culinary arts, culinary management, interactive media design, media arts & animation and game art & design.

“The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire feels that if people have the talent and drive, then paying for education should not be an obstacle,” said President Byron Chung. “The scholarships will help many Inland Empire residents receive an education that can help them pursue careers that they love.”

Chung said the scholarships include awards of $15,000 - 5,000 and 50 percent tuition reductions. The scholarships can only be used for tuition at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

Lizeth Talavera-Benitez of Phelan, a recipient of two scholarships, said the awards covers half of her tuition for the first year of college. “It meant a lot to me,” said Talavera-Benitez, who is the first in her family to go to college. “My parents didn’t have much money to pay for college.”

“I was really excited when I found out I got the scholarship,” she said. “My parents are happy too.”

Talavera-Benitez said the scholarship award goes a long way to helping her pursue her dream of owning her own restaurant. She also received a scholarship for winning The Art Institutes Best Teen Chef local competition. The Art Institutes organizes the contest, which is a showcase for local budding chefs.

Phillip Bosco, a graduate of Faith Community Christian School in Victorville, said his $10,000 scholarship will go a long way to paying back student loans. “It really takes a big load off,” he said. “The scholarship works out to be several months, if not a year, of loan payments.”

Bosco plans to study media arts & animation at The Art Institute of California- Inland Empire. He said the major can open doors to a job as a 3-D forensic artist for crime investigations, a special effects artist or a storyboard artist.

Bosco says his future plan is to work in visual effects, in the movie industry, and eventually direct his own films. “I’ve always had a passion for film and directing,” he said.

For more information about The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire call (909) 915-2100 or (800) 353-0812.

Scholarship recipients:
Winners name City Scholarship Amount
1. Lizeth Talavera-Benitez Phelan $15,000 1st $ 3,000 1st
2. Logan Feliciano Pomona $15,000 1st
3. Jacob Webber Grand Terrace $10,000 2nd
4. John Escobar Colton $15,000 1st
5. Matthew Morales Redlands $10,000 2nd
6. Amanda Kibler Victorville $15,000 1st
7. Allison Williams Alta Loma $10,000 2nd
8. LaTosha Banks Rialto $10,000 1st
9. Ryan Wardlow Upland $10,000 1st
10. Jonathan Ortiz Banning $5,000 2nd
11. Philip Bosco Victorville $10,000 1st
12. Daniel Gonzalez Garden Grove $3,000
13. Therisa Anderson Moreno Valley $2,000

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Jim Crockett Former Publisher of Guitar Player and Keyboard Magazine Targets the Music Industry


For 19 years, starting in 1970, while at the helm of GPI Publications Jim Crockett took the company from a $40,000/year business with one semi-monthly magazine titled Guitar Player to a $15 million business producing five monthlies, four quarterlies, books, newsletters and recordings. Now he is ready to help instrument manufactures increase media coverage for their products at Dameron Communications.

(Newport Beach, CA) (PRWEB) August 6, 2007 -- Music legend Jim Crockett, with decades of music industry writing experience behind him, launches new effort at Dameron Communications (http://www.DameronCommunications.com) to attract potential new public relations and advertising accounts with guitar, keyboard, drum, instrument accessory and other manufacturers.

"Jim virtually wrote the book on writing for musical instruments at Guitar Player Magazine. He knows the music industry and he knows the consumers! And he knows what we can do to help build successful businesses with our public relations, marketing and advertising experience," says Carl Dameron, president of Dameron Communications.

Crockett joined Dameron Communications two years ago and has worked with Dameron on a variety of PR efforts. The two decided to use Crockett's renowned prowess in the music industry after an inquiry from a music mastering company requesting Crockett to write articles about their process. Crockett and Dameron quickly realized there was a demand for Crockett's experience.

For 19 years, starting in 1970, while at the helm of GPI Publications Crockett took the company from a $40,000/year business with one semi-monthly magazine titled Guitar Player to a $15 million business producing five monthlies, four quarterlies, books, newsletters and recordings.

The former CEO of GPI has counted as his friends B.B. King, Andres Segovia, Mike Bloomfield, Howard Roberts, Les Paul, Chick Corea, Frank Zappa, Tal Farlow, Herbie Hancock, Chet Atkins, David Gilmour, Leo Fender, Barney Kessel, Jerry Garcia, Joe Pass, George Benson, Billy Gibbons, Tony Iommi and many others.

Crockett has worked with many public relations firms over the years including internationally respected BSMG. He has nearly 20 years experience in producing musical publications, heading such international magazines as Guitar Player, Keyboard, Frets, Drums & Drumming and Bass Player magazines.

He has had a half-dozen newsletters and more than a thousand articles, features and interviews published.

In the TV world Crockett has produced and hosted specials for MTV and has appeared on all major television networks and cable systems including NBC's "Today Show," CNN and the former Nashville Network.

The prior Media Relations Executive with the nationwide Financial Relations Board has hosted countless press conferences, media tours, interviews and seminars.

Crockett is also the author of five books: Putting A Band Together, Guitar Player Book, Fix Your Axe (instrument repair), Great White Shark and Why-to Of Scuba Diving.

A former communications professor at the University of Idaho and The International College of the Cayman Islands, Crockett's knowledge of education, music, broadcasting, publishing and business management is substantial.

Jim has kept a low profile the last few years enjoying his five-acre ranch in Los Angeles County and spending time with his family. But he has kept busy. He has a movie script in development, "Great While It Lasted," based on the world's first female jazz band, and is in the middle of another book, a biography of actor Spenser Tracy's son, co-founder of the John Tracy Clinic for deaf children in Los Angeles, while he continues to write stories for Dameron Communications' key clients.

"I love to write and I love to play music," says Crockett. "So I write about music, musicians and equipment. And I love what I do. I've been in music, in one form or another, all my adult life."

Dameron Communications has handled the advertising and public relations needs of California businesses since 1989. As founder and director Carl Dameron puts it, "While I am a good writer, Jim is a great writer. He is the best writer I have ever worked with."

Jim and Carl can be reached at Dameron Communications (949) 999-0881. The Web site is www.DameronCommunications.com.